2017 Widebody Honda Civic Type R - Michael Orsino's Dream SEMA Build

Explore the story behind Michael Orsino's custom 2017 Widebody Honda Civic Type R, from the inspiration behind the build to the unique features that make it stand out.

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2017 Widebody Honda Civic Type R

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Michael Orsino

BIG 1’s 2017 Widebody Honda Civic Type R

Instagram: @Kinghateable

By Photographer/Author: Donnie Rochin
Instagram: @r0cean11

Facebook: r0cean11 Photography
Website: r0cean11.com

A Journey To Sema

Hi, I’m Michael Orsino, 53 years old, and I live in Stamford, Connecticut. For the past 24 years, I’ve worked in sales for Northeast Electrical Distribution. My passion for cars has been a driving force in my life, and it all began with my Honda Civic.

In 2017, I bought my first Honda Civic Type R the moment it hit the showroom floor. From there, I started small with custom upgrades like a Batman wrap and a widebody kit. What started as simple modifications quickly turned into something bigger, and I knew this car would be my everyday ride and the one I’d showcase at car shows. Little did I know, this journey would lead me to win Best of Show awards and even take me to SEMA with my Batman-inspired build.

My Car Show Journey

Attending car shows opened up a whole new world for me. The more shows I went to, the more ideas I had for customizing my Honda. One of the most memorable moments at a car show was when I asked a fantastic lady to join me—it was our first date. Fast forward four years, and I’m happily married to her, and we both made it to SEMA together with my car, Batman.

The Influence of Family and Friends

Everyone has someone who sparks their passion, and for me, that person was my cousin, Al. When we were younger, I rode in his red Fox Body Mustang, which was not only fast but also incredibly unique. Later, he became the owner of a well-known auto body shop, constantly surrounded by amazing cars. Watching him work and seeing the endless possibilities for what can be built fueled my own dreams.

My inspiration didn’t stop there. At a car show, I met Luke (@World_of_Imports.ceo), who had a stunning purple "THOR" Infiniti. The airbrushed theme under the hood and in the trunk was a beautiful and unique touch. It was THOR that inspired me to start building my own version—“BATMAN.”

The Build: What Makes My Car Unique

I’ve always had a passion for fast, custom cars. Alongside my Honda Civic, I also own a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, known as “THE PUNISHER,” which serves as my everyday driver. I recently purchased a 2002 Acura RSX, although I don’t have any immediate plans for it. You never know where your passion might take you, and I’m always open to future possibilities.

What makes my 2017 Honda Civic Type R truly one-of-a-kind is the combination of custom modifications. These include a molded widebody, rear suicide doors, a Ghost Batman paint job, and a Batman symbol formed by 2,500 LED lights in the headliner. The custom bucket rear seats and the perfectly fitted Savini Rims are just a few of the standout features. Every detail was designed to make this car as unique as possible.

Modifications:

Interior -

Vicrez carbon fiber and Alcantara steering wheel
Carbon Fiber Tweeter pods and door switch controls
Red carbon dash interior
Alcantara boomerangs/gauge bezel/steering wheel column wrap
Custom rear bucket seats/ custom door interior/ custom Alcantara pod for iPod and Airlift control// By McCoys Upholstery
Custom Alcantara trunk setup with JL W6 woofer and JL Audio VX1000-5I
JL audio C7 Highs and mids in front and rear
Dream automotive P3 gauges V3 odb v2
JDC Burnt Titanium Shift knob

Wheels and Tires -

Savini custom 3-piece rims SV90/ Rose Gold with carbon fiber lips and accents.
Front 19 x 8.5/ 225/35 R19
Rear 19 x 12 / 285/30 R19
Both have Continental ExtremeContact sport tires

Body Exterior -

Custom House of Kolor Paint with Ghost Batman and rear suicide doors built and painted by Crolls Customs
Seibon OEM Carbon Fiber rear lip/ middle spoiler/ front grill/front lip and CV style front splitter
Custom Gotham City airbrushed mural under hood and trunk by: “The King of Air Brushing-Rogelio Magrini.
Custom widebody by ACI Dynamics and First Choice Auto Body
Rear Spoiler by Downforce Solutions
Front lower splitter/side splitters and rear spats by Galvez Customs
All LED lighting throughout the car and Batman headliner by Lighting Trendz.
Spoon Carbon Fiber 3DGT (CRANE) wing.

Engine/Exhaust/Suspension -

Stage 2 full race turbo and flex-fuel installed by Tri-State Motorsports LLC.
Takeda Momentum Pro 5 carbon fiber air intake
PRL Intercooler
Dress up bolts/Burnt titanium
Password JDM carbon fiber under the hood
Rolloface SS series front 6- rear 6
Rampage titanium turbo inlet pipe
Airexx / Airlift air suspension
Revel front fog light covers
Boomba racing recirculating bypass valve
VR Performance full burnt titanium exhaust

What's Next for My Build

Looking forward, I have even more ideas for this car. I plan to install a custom burnt titanium air tank by @Titaniumworks, with airbrushing by Don to feature Batman and Robin in the door jambs and pillar. I may also add a new carbon fiber hood with an updated Gotham City theme airbrushed under it. The build is ever-evolving, and I’m excited for the next phase.

Special Thanks

This build wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my wife, Gigi, my cousin Steve, and several amazing vendors who helped bring my vision to life. Here’s a special shoutout to everyone who contributed to the success of my project:

Interior: McCoys Upholstery in Queens, New York (@McCoysupholstery)
Custom Stereo: Cousin Steve in Stamford, CT (@Frycztech)
Custom Trunk: NVS Audio in New Jersey (@NVS_Audio)
Custom Motor Work (Turbo Upgrade): MC Slick in New Jersey (@McSlick)
Custom Paint (Ghost Batman) & Rear Suicide Doors: Crolls Customs in PA (@CrollsCustoms)
LED Lighting: Lighting Trendz (@LightingTrendz)
Airbrushing: Don, “The King of Airbrushing”
Car Club: Speed Gravity (@Speed_Gravity)

Final Thoughts

I am incredibly passionate about my build, whether the feedback is praise or criticism. I believe that everyone has a different vision for their car, and those differences are what make each build unique. For anyone thinking about building their dream car, my advice is simple: Do it. There’s nothing more rewarding than having someone approach you and say, “This is a complete car; I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Call to Action
If you enjoyed reading about Michael’s incredible build, share his story with your fellow car enthusiasts! And if you have your own unique car journey to tell, consider submitting it for publication. Let’s keep inspiring one another with our love for cars!

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